Villa’s relegation after 28 years in the top-flight was finally confirmed on Saturday afternoon when they suffered a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United to render their final four fixtures nothing more than dead rubbers.

The bottom dwellers have endured a woeful season, winning just three league games and scoring a division-low 23 goals, and there are now expected to be sweeping changes across the club over the summer ahead of their first campaign in the second tier since 1987-88.

Nevertheless, regardless of who is appointed Remi Garde’s permanent successor in the near future, Lescott insists that he plans to be at Villa Park next term.

The boyhood Villa fan has been a prominent target for the boo boys in recent months due to his declining performances and ill-advised Twitter antics, but he has vowed to fight on and put things right.

"Of course I want to be part of the battle. I'm here for as long as Aston Villa want me," Lescott told Sky Sports after the loss at Old Trafford. "I was a Villa fan growing up, so it hurts as much as some of those fans out there, even though they might not think so.

"As an individual I can only take my part in the blame but I don't think it's ever as bad as what people portray in the press. But we're not going to dwell on that and use it as an excuse.

"We've not been good enough this season and that's why we are where we are."

The Birmingham-born defender has also worn the captain’s armband in the absence of regular skipper Micah Richards, but has not stopped supporters from criticising his commitment after a growing number of uninspiring and error-strewn performances.

The majority would undoubtedly prefer if he did move on in the summer, but whether there will be any takers for his signature after such a disastrous campaign remains to be seen.

Freddie Shires

Freddie is a freelance sports writer, having recently completed an MA in Sports Journalism at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham. With an especially keen interest in all things American sports-related, he has written extensively about the NFL, MLS and the U.S. national team for various sites.